Printing machine



1962 s. A. DASHEW ETAL PRINTING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 18, 1959 Inventors Star-deg flu Dashew Kunio A. Sumida. Alfred C-LDobrowskg J'larrg R- Gren B3, MaMM,(B'l-0um&M )i ML4W dfliorrzew s. A. DASHEW Erm; 3,056,347

PRINTING MACHINE Oct. 2, 1962 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 18, 1959 Inventors Stanleg A .Daslzew Kunio A Sumida My 5 .m WW e; r we? am, 6% fi m n 1962 s. A. DASHEW ETAL 3,056,347

PRINTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 18, 1959 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 W \IN N" Inventors Stanleg A-DOSIQW Kunio 4.51.;mida. Alfred GuDobrowakg 112mg, R. Greene 32 Mam, 6M8 M)VZZ&M

Off? E 36 Oc 1962 s. A. DASHEW ETAL 3,056,347

PRINTING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 18, 1959 I gfam w Inverzi-ors Stanleg fl.Dashew (@1130 A. Sumid AWred G Do brows k g fi'qrrg/R. Greene.

gsfimkMqk Quill .UHIPH mu m mu.

I. mu m m Oct. 2, 1962 Filed NOV. 18, 1959 S. A. DASHEW ETAL PRINTING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet '7 f I u Joan PUBLIC moil fit 59 Y PLACE MM u r AHY WHERE nmwzl's (Lick DEPT. I MARY ALLEN HIIII I l DUNS l 0: Box 'zooo II vomezsvlus CALIF. ECITY STATE 0 PURCHASR ACCEPTOR ,1 SALES DRAFT 5 CUSTOMER COPY 4 I gglas n 1 O AUTKORVZLIIOH CODE j 2 if/ 1 TOTAL 3: MEMBER- 09"! y L l E 5-5 C-Z Inveni'o rs Sim-1123 A-Dasbew Kunio A. 5urnida,

l0 Sheets-Sheet 8 PRINTING MACHINE S. A. DASHEW ETAL Inventors Stqnl e lll HUM U I x J L J L Oct. 2, 1962 Filed Nov. 18, 1959 Kuruo A.5um\ da, Alfred G-Dobrowskw i'lmrgy 12.6 reque- WMW,WJ4MCJYW 1962 s. A. DASHEW ETAL 3,056,347

PRINTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 18, 1959 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 Inventor-s Stanleg (LDashew Kunio A Sum id a Alfred G.Dobrowsk5/ Harry R. Greene 35/ MM,W&MCWZ%W Morn .4

Oct 2, 1962 s. A. DASHEW ETA]. 3,056,347

PRINTING MACHINE Filed Nov 18, 1959 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 His 18 Inventors si'anleg, A. Dashew Kunio A.5umido, AHHied G.Dobrow$kg arr-1 R. Greene Uit Sttes Patent M 3,ll56,347 PRINTHJG MACHINE Stanley A. Dashew, Culver City, Kunio A. Sumida and Alfred G. Dobrowsky, Los Angeles, and Harry R.

Greene, Pasadena, Calif, assignors to Dashew Business Machines, Inc, a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 13, 59, Ser. No. 853,926 18 Claims. (Cl. 101-269) This invention relates to printing machines, and particularly to such machines of the kind where impressions are made from individual printing devices.

In printing machines of the kind wherein impressions are made from replaceable individual printing devices it has long been the practice to use a roller platen that is moved with a rolling action across the printing area to press the paper into printing cooperation with the printing means.

Printing machines of the aforesaid character are ordinarily used in stores, gasoline filling stations or the like to print charge or sales slips, and the primary object of this invention is to provide an improved and simplified printing machine of this kind that is rugged and reliable in performance and which is so organized in a physical sense as to facilitate fast and effective use of the machine in the production of printed sales slips and the like.

In the use of such a printing machine for the printing of sales slips or the like, the customer to whom the sales is being made presents his credit card which is in the form of a printing device that usually has the customers name, address, account number and perhaps other information embossed thereon, as a preliminary to the printing of the sales slip, the salesman inserts this embossed credit card or printing device in the printing machine. The salesman must also insert a sheet, form, carbon pack or set into the machine before the printing operation is performed, and another object of this invention is to simplify the insertion of the printing device and the form into such a machine. Related objects are to facilitate the attainment of accurate positioning of the printing device and the form in such a machine, and to simplify the removal of the printing device and the printed form.

In printing sales slips and the like with printing machines of the aforesaid character, it is often desirable in printing a store or station identification, to include the date and variable data such as money amounts, and to enable this to be done easily and conveniently is another important object of this invention.

A related object is to provide settable type wheels in such a machine for setting the date and varying money or numerical amounts for printing, and to provide related indicator wheels showing the setting of the numerical printing wheels.

As the roller platen in such a printing machine moves across the type, material provided by a printing device and by the settable type and date wheels, the uniformity and density of the resulting printed impression is dependent upon having the proper relation between the platen roller and the printing plane of the type, and to simplify the setting of the platen roller in such machines is therefore another important object of this invention.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and claims, and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, by way of illustration, show a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the principles thereof, and what is considered to be the best mode in which to apply these principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention.

In the drawings:

3,056,347 Patented Oct. 2, 1962 FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a printing machine embodying the features of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a right hand end view of the machine;

FIG. 2A is a bottom plan view;

FIG. 2B is a fragmentary front to rear sectional view;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the machine;

FIG. 3A is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 3A3A of FIG. 2B;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view showing the platen roller in its retracted or elevated position, the view being taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the platen mechanism showing the platen roller in its lowered or printing relation;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 and showing a platen roller in its raised or elevated position;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the bed of the printing machine showing the printing means with which the platen roller cooperates;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional View taken substantially along the line 88 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a transverse fragmental sectional view of the machine taken in substantially the location of the line 9-9 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the machine with the end cover removed;

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional View showing the number and dater wheels;

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 12-12 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view showing the platen roller in its operative relation;

FIG. 14 is a view of a set of carbon forms used in the machine;

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the base or main cast- FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the casting taken along the line 16-16 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a schematic exploded view showing the relationship of several of the basic components of the machine;

FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of the numerical wheels and their mounting and control means;

FIG. 19 is a cross sectional view of the setting racks and their mounting; and

FIG. 20 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 18.

The Machine in General For purposes of disclosure the invention is herein illustrated as embodied in printing machines 20 having a top surface or bed 21 over which a platen mechanism P is located. The platen mechanism P includes a platen roller PR. The printing machine 20 as herein shown has the bed 21 sloping upwardly and rearwardly, and upon this surface or bed, print-means may be supported for printing cooperation with the platen mechanism in producing printed impressions on a sheet 8, FIG. 8, or a group of sheets, FIG. 14, disclosed on the bed 21 between the printing means and the platen mechanism P. l

The printing machine 20 that is herein shown constitutes a credit card printing machine adapted for use in stores, filling stations and the like for printing sales slips from embossed credit cards such as the card shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Such credit cards have one or more lines of embossed type 22T and may be supported in position on the bed 21 by means such as springs or detents 23 engaging the lower edge of the printing device 22, an end guide 24 engaging one end each of the printing device, and an overhanging ledge 25L that constitutes the lower edge of a sheet guide tray 25. Additional printing means are mounted in association with the bed 21, and as shown in FIG. 7, such additional means include an embossed plate 26 upon which embossed characters 26T are provided for identifying the particular establishment in which the printing machine 20 is used. Further printing means are shown that take the form of a plurality of settable type wheels 28 mounted in the bed in an exposed relation so that an upper row of printing characters on such wheels 28 are exposed in the same print plane as the type characters 22T and 26T.

The paper guide tray 25, as shown particularly in FIGS. 1, 7, 8 and 13, is located along the upper or rear edge of the bed 21 so that a sheet S upon which a printed impression is to be made may be inserted face down and in a forward direction into the tray 25 so as to be positioned in an endwise sense by upstanding end walls 25W of the tray, and the forward movement of a sheet S may be continued until the lower edge of the sheet S engages a stop 30' that is located just below or forwardly of the type wheels 28, and a stop 31 that is formed as the rear end of the guide 24. When the sheet S has thus been put into position, the machine is in condition for printing operation, and this is accomplished by reciprocating the platen mechanism P back and forth across the printing area that is defined by the location of the several printing means.

The Platen The platen mechanism P is shown and claimed in copending application, Serial No. 819,477, filed June 10, 1959, and comprises a carriage C upon which the platen roller PR is mounted, and the carriage C is supported and guided for movement along rectilinear guide means that extend across and above the printing area. Such rectilinear guide means as herein shown are provided by a pair of spaced parallel guide rails 35 that are supported at their opposite ends by columns 36, such columns 36 extending upwardly from opposite ends of the base of the machine.

The guide rails 35 are rectangular in cross sectional form and are supported so as to be spaced from each other in a front to rear direction and so as to locate the upper and lower edges parallel and in an equally spaced relationship with respect to the bed 21. Thus, as the carriage C is moved back and forth along the guide rails 35, the carriage moves in a parallel relationship to the bed 21 and to the printing plane defined by the several embossed type characters or other printing means.

The carriage C is arranged to carry the platen roller PR with its axis located parallel to the bed 21 and transversely of the path of movement of the carriage C, and as will be described in detail hereinafter, the platen roller PR is associated with actuating means whereby in the course of reciprocating movements of the carriage C, the platen roller may be shifted back and forth between its raised or inactive relation of FIG. 6 and the lowered or printing relation of FIG. 5.

The platen roller PR as herein shown is of the inkless kind, and in the machine 20 with which it has been associated, is intended and adapted to produce the desired printed impressions through the use of carbon sheets or areas associated with sheets S upon which the impressions are to be made, as shown for example in FIG. 14.

In providing for movably supporting and guiding the carriage C on the rails 35, and for supporting and actuating the platen roller PR, the carriage C has an internal frame 38 formed as a relatively wide sheet metal stamping having upper cross bar 38C and front and rear downwardly projecting side walls 38F and 38R. The internal rigid frame 38 has an external cover 39 that may be made from the material such as plastic so as to house substantially all of the frame, and across its top wall, the housing 39 has an upstanding rib-like handle 39H to facilitate grasping of the carriage C when it is desired to impart movement thereto along the supporting rails 35. The internal frame 38 is connected to the housing by screws 40 that are extended upwardly through the top wall 38C and into the bosses 41 that are integrally formed with the housing 39.

The housing 39 has end walls 39E, as will be evident in FIGS. 4 to 6, and these end walls have openings 139 formed therein through which the supporting rails 35 extend with substantial clearance. Within the housing 39 and between the two walls 38F and 38R, means are provided for supporting and guiding the carriage C on the two rails 35. As herein shown, such means comprise two sets or pairs of upper flange wheels 45U and two sets or pairs of lower flanged wheels 45L so that the lower surface of each rail 15 is engaged at spaced points by two flanged wheels 45L, while the upper surface of each rail 35 is engaged by, at spaced points, two flanged wheels 45U. Each set or pair of wheels is mounted loosely on a shaft 46 that extends through aligned and properly positioned openings in the front and rear Walls 38F and 38R, and which also extends through the axial openings of the pair of wheels.

As will be evident in FIGS. 4 to 6 of the drawings, the wheels have their flanges engaged with what may be termed the outer or remote side edges of the rails 35 with which they are engaged so that as to each such pair of wheels, the flanges of the wheels prevent movement of the wheels toward each other, and hence the tread surfaces of the wheels are maintained in proper engagement with the opposed edges of the rails. The proportioning of the parts is such that the wheels cannot move any appreciable distance away from each other without engaging the adjacent wall 38F or 38R. Thus the wheels and the several mounting shafts 46 may be quickly and easily assembled before the rigid frame 38 is put in position within the housing 39. Then when the housing 39 is put in place about the frame 38, the front and rear walls of the housing are spaced but a short distance from the ends of the several shafts 46 so that these shafts are held in proper assembled relation despite the fact that some slight longitudinal movement of the shafts may take place.

In providing the mounting and actuating means for the platen roller PR, the front and rear walls 38F and 38R of the rigid internal frame 38 are provided with spaced downwardly extending ears 138 which serve to define a vertically extending slot 1388 in aligned positions in the respective front and rear walls. The slots 138$ serve as guide means for a removable mounting shaft 48 which serves to support the platen roller PR. Thus the platen roller PR has extended coaxial sleeve portions 49 at its oposite ends so that these sleeve portions have their ends in substantial engagement with the front and rear walls of the internal frame, as will be evident in FIGS. 4 to 6, and the shaft 48 extends through an axial opening for-med in the platen roller and its extended sleeves 49.

The mounting shaft 48 is held in its proper axial position by means that engage annular slots 50 that are formed near opposite ends of the shaft and just outside of the front and rear walls 38F and 38R. Such retaining means as herein shown comprise hairpin springs 52 mounted on the outside of each of the front and rear walls. Thus, as shown in FIG. 4, the front wall 38F has a pair of straplike members 53 formed therein so as to provide what amounts to a vertical passage through which one arm of the hairpin spring 52 may be inserted in a downward direction, and the lower end portion of this arm of the hairpin spring 52 is arranged to engage the annular slot 50 of the mounting shaft 48. The other arm of the hairpin spring 52 is hooked under a retaining lug 54 that is struck from the wall. Thus the bayonet spring 52 provides a readily releasable retaining means, and the shaft .8 may be moved up and down within the range of the slot 1388 since the engaged arm of the spring 52 extends in a generally up and down direction and may be subjected to slight bending as the shaft 48 is moved up and down.

The position of the shaft 48 in the slots 1388 is established by means that are connected to opposite ends of the shaft 48 and which may be rocked about the axis of the shaft 48 to impart up and down shifting movements to the shafts 48.

Thus, as shown particularly in FIGS. 4 to 6, a straplike bail 60 is formed from sheet metal to provide an upper or a cross member 600 and a pair of downwardly extending arms 60A. The length of the cross member 60C is such that the arms 66A may extend downwardly along the outer or remote sides of the front and rear walls 38F and 33R, thus to extend between these walls and the respective guide rails 35. At their lower ends, the arms 60A have aligned openings therein through which the shaft 48 is extended in a fairly snug but rotatable relationship. Thus the shaft 48 may be moved up and down by moving the bail 60 upwardly or downwardly, and with the present invention such upward or downward movements of the bail are imparted thereto as an incident to rocking movement of the bail in one direction or the other about the axis of the shaft 48.

Interacting means associated with the internal rigid frame 38 and the bail 60 so that as the bail is rocked in clockwise direction to the position shown in FIG. 5, the bail 6t) and the platen roller PR are moved downwardly to locate the platen roller in its lower or effective relation, while rocking of the bail 60 in a counterclockwise direction to the position shown in PEG. 6 results in raising the platen roller PR to its inactive position of FIG. 6. The means for accomplishing the upward and downward shifting movement of the platen roller PR are in the nature of cam means. Thus the front and rear walls 38F and 38R have similar and aligned cam slots 65 formed therein, and these cam slots are engaged by opposite ends of a shaft 66 that extends through the two arms 60A of the bail 66 just below the cross member 60C, and the ends of the shaft 66 extend through the cam slots 65 for a substantial distance so that the spacing of the walls of .the cover 39 will serve to prevent undesired displacement of the shaft 66 in an endwise direction.

In attaining the particular operation of the platen roller PR as above described, the slots 65 are arranged so that their left hand ends are higher than the right hand ends of the slots, and at the upper or left hand ends these slots 65 have a short angularly related downward extension 65L, while at the lower or right hand end the slots 65 have a short angularly related extension 65R, which as shown in FIG. 6 extends substantially horizontally.

The function of the extensions 65L and 65R of the cam slots is to insure that the cam follower that is provided by the shaft 66 remains in position at one end or the other of the slots 65 until such time as a positive shifting force is applied to the bail 60 in a direction longitudinal of the guide rails 35. Thus as indicated in several figures in the drawings, abutment means are provided on the rails 35 for engagement by the bail 66 in the terminal portion of its movement in either direction. In providing such means as here-in shown the rails 35 have similarly located abutment pins 68R mounted thereon in adjacent right hand ends, while abutment pins 68L are fixed in the rails 35 near the left hand ends thereof, and these abutment pins 68L and 63R are so disposed that they lie in the path of the arms 60A. Thus, as the carriage C is shifted to the left, the arms 60A will be moved against the pins 68L and the bail 60 will thereafter be held against further left hand movement at the point where the bail engages the pins 68L. The lower end of the bail 60 will, however, continue to move to the left as the shifting movement of the carriage C continues, and the net result of such relative movement is that the cam follower 66 is moved in a right hand direction relative to the cam slots 65. This causes the bail 66 to be shifted in a downward direction so that the platen roller PR is moved to its lower or printing relationship, and this position is shown in FIGS. 2 and of the drawings.

When the follower 66 reaches the right hand end of the cam slot 65 its movement stops, and the movement of the carriage C is stopped. The platen roller PR has thus been conditioned for printing operation as the carriage C is returned in a right hand direction along its supporting tracks 35. In such return or right hand movement, the platen roller PR produces a printed impression from the text of the printing means, and the upward forces exerted on the platen roller PR are such that the follower 66 is held in the desired position in the extensions 54R of the cam slots 65. When the printing of the impressions has been completed, the continued movement of the carriage C to the right causes the bail 66 to engage and in effect be stopped by the abutment pin 68R. Since the right hand movement of the carriage C may continue, the bail is caused to move through a relatively shifting movement in a counterclockwise direction to the position shown in FIG. 6, and the movement of the cam follower 66 along the cam slots 65 cause the bail to be shifted upwardly to cause the platen roller PR to be retracted to the position in FIG. 6. The engagement of the follower shaft 6'6 with the left hand and of the cam slot 65, the movement of the bail 60 is stopped so that the carriage C is stopped in its right hand terminal position of FIG. 4. As the follower shaft 66 reaches the end of this shifting movement, it drops somewhat downwardly into the angularly related extension 65L of the cam slots, and the platen roller PR is thus effectually maintained in its raised or retracted position when the carriage C is again shifted to the left in a. printing cycle. The upward and downward shifting movements take place just beyond the opposite ends of the printing area, as will be evident in FIG. 7 where the platen roller PR has been indicated in dotted outline at the respective locations where the shifting movements take place The normal cycle of use of the printing machine involves the insertion of the printing device 22 in a rearward direction along the guide 24 until the rear edge of the printing device is located under the ledge 25L, at which time the printing device will move past the spring detents 23 which will snap up into position to hold the printing device in the desired location on the bed 21. The form or sheet S is then inserted forwardly and downwardly into the tray 25 so that it is guided in its forward movement until such time as it engages the front paper stops 30 and 31. The printing machine is then in condition for the actual printing operation, and the printing operation is accomplished by a back and forth motion of the carriage C along the tracks 35. Thus at the completion of a printing operation the carriage C is located in the same position that it occupies before the printing operation, and this is considered to be important because it enables the user to establish a routine mode of operation which can be rapidly performed. In the machine as herein shown, such initial position of the platen P must be the right hand position shown in FIG. 4, where the platen roller PR is in its raised position, and the reason for this will be explained hereinafter as it relates to the clamping and holding of the sheet or set of forms during the printing operation.

The platen mechanism has the axis of its platen roller disposed at a slight angle to the path of movement of the carriage C, and by this arrangement it has been found that improved carbon impressions may be made with an improved releasing action between the carbon sheet and the printed sheets, and it has also been found that improved registration of the impression has been attained because the slightly angular disposition of the axis of the platen roller causes the platen roller to urge the sheet or form edgewise into engagement with the paper stops 30 and 31. Thus, as shown particularly in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the slot 138$ that is formed in the rear frame plate 38R is displaced slightly to the left with respect to the slot 1388 of the front frame plate 38F. Similarly, the cam slot 65 in the rear frame plate is displaced slightly to the left as indicated in FIG. 2 with respect to the slot 65 in the front frame plate 38F.

This disposes the axis of the platen roller PR at a slight 6 angle to the longitudinal axis of movement of the carriage C, so that when the platen is being moved to the right through its printing stroke, the front edge of the platen roller PR which is closest to the paper stops and 31 is in effect located in a leading relation with respect to the rear edge of the platen roller. Because of this slight angularity of the axis of the platen roller, pins 681.. and 68R in the rear one of the guide bars 35 are offset slightly to the left with respect to the pins of the forward guide bar 35, thus to cause the pins to be engaged simultaneously by the front and rear arms 66A.

By the arrangement that is thus provided, movement of the platen carriage C to the right from its position shown in FIG. 2 causes the platen roller to impart a slight ironing or working action to the form or sheet S so that carbon impressions are obtained that are sharp and clear, and the carbon sheet is effectually released from the sheet upon which the carbon impression has been made. Moreover, the angular location of the platen roller causes the form to be held tightly against the paper stops 39 and 31 so as to insure an accurately located impression on the form.

The printing machine 20 as thus described has its basic physical and functional elements, including the platen support rails 35, assembled on a concealed bed casting 121 which is formed 'by die casting, and end frames 136 formed from plastic are secured at opposite ends of the bed casting 121 to support the bed casting in a forwardly sloping position. The end castings 136 also function in holding certain portions of a stainless steel sheet metal cover 221 in place to define the working surface of bed 21 as well as a curved rear wall W for the machine. The specific manner of association of these elements will be described hereinafter. The bed casting comprises a flat rectangular plate 121P with a smooth and flat upper face and with a system of reenforcing and mounting elements on its lower face. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 2, 9, 12, 16, and 17, the casting 121 has a relatively deep rear edge flange 69R, a shallow front edge flange 69F, and side flanges 69S connecting the front and rear flanges. A series of depending webs 69W in a generally grid-like pattern, as shown in FIG. 15, are also formed on the bottom of the plate 121P so that these webs are interconnected with each other and with the front, rear and side flanges to assure rigidity in the casting. Anchoring posts 69A are provided on certain of the webs 69W for mounting purposes, as will be described. The side flanges 698 are cut away as at 1698 near their forward ends, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 12 to provide for a relatively low forward edge for the machine, and an angular flange 169F is provided along the forward side of the flange 69F to aid in the anchoring of the forward edge of the cover 221, as will be described. A plurality of cooperating openings are provided in the bed plate 121P and the cover 221, and the form, location and function of these openings will be described hereinafter.

In the manufacture and assembly of the printing machine 20, the principal operating parts, including the guide rails 35 with the platen carriage C and the sheet metal cover 221 are first assembled on the base casting 121, and after testing and assembly of the operating parts on the casting 121, the end frames 136 are put in place on the base casting 121 to complete the assembly of the machine.

Thus, with respect to the mounting of the platen carriage C and the rails 35, it will be noted that the base casting 121 has a pair of mounting lugs 70 extended from its opposite ends at the locations occupied by the supporting column structures 36, and these lugs 70' have their upper surfaces formed as continuations of the flat top surface of the plate 21F and have a strengthening web 711W extended downwardly therefrom to interconnect the side flanges 698 with the lugs 70.

The lugs 70' serve as a mounting at each end of the base casting for a pair of sheet metal supporting members 236 and 336 which cooperate in rigidly supporting the opposite ends of the rails 35 and for the adjustment and levelling of these rails. Thus the sheet metal support member 236 is relatively heavy and has outward flanges 236F along its opposite vertical edges to impart rigidity thereto. The sheet metal member 236 is formed with a relatively large opening 71 in its lower portion and a horizontal flange 72 is bent outwardly along the upper edge of the opening 71 so that this flange may overlie the central portion of one of the lugs 70, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. However, before the members 236 are mounted, the cover 221 is put in place on the casting 121, and extension ears 121E, FIG. 9, extend outwardly over the lugs 71). The ears 121E have locating flanges 1218, FIG. 10, that are turned downwardly into notches HEN in the lugs 76 to properly position the cover on the casting 121.

The flange 72 of the member 236 is of a length somewhat less than the length of the lug 70, as shown in PEG. 10, and screws 728 are extended upwardly through the lugs 70 and are threaded through the flange 72 so as to clamp the support member 236 and the ears 121E of the cover in position against the lug 70 with the upper portion of the support member 236 extending upwardly to provide one element of the support for the rails 35.

Near its upper edge, the support member 236 has a pair of rectangular openings 73 formed therein, and these openings are of a width almost precisely the same as the width of the bars 35 and have a vertical dimension that is somewhat greater than the reduced end portion 35E of the rails. Thus these end portions 35E may be inserted endwise through the openings 73 so as to hold the rail 35 in a vertical position and against front to rear movement, and yet these ralis may be adjusted vertically within the slots 73 for leveling of the rails with respect to the bed of the machine. This leveling action is attained through the use of the support members 336. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, each of these support members 336 is formed as a sheet metal stamping with an out-turned bottom flange 73 and with means at its upper portion for association with the end portions 35E of the rails for governing the vertical location of these rails in the slots or openings 73. Such engaging means are provided on each member 336 by outwardly extending upper arms 75 that are arranged to engage the upper surfaces of the ends 35B, and upwardly projecting lower arms 76 that are formed for engagement with the lower edges of the ends 35E. As initially formed, the arms 76 extend outwardly at an angle, as indicated in dotted outline in FIG. 9, and this enables the end of a rail 35 to be inserted fairly easily between the upper arm 75 and a lower arm 76. After the parts have been put together, the arms 76 are bent inwardly to or toward a vertical relationship as shown in full lines in FIG. 9, thus to firmly clamp the end 35E of the rail 35 between the arms 75 and 76.

The member 336 is adapted for adjustment in an up and down direction, and this adjustment is applied independently near the opposite edges of the member 336. Thus the flange 74 is put in position over resilient members 77 which in the present instance are in the form of rubber bushings, and adjusting screws 78 are extended through these rubber bushings and are threaded through the flange 74. Thus, by manipulation of the screws 78, the entire support member 336 may be adjusted up or down, and by selective manipulation of one or the other of the rails 35 may be raised or lowered. This enables the rails 35 to be leveled with relation to the printing bed of the machine, and the resilience of the members 77 assures that the adjusted relationship will be maintained.

The settable number wheels 28 form part of an amount printing and dating unit 80, FIGS. 18, 19 and 20, in which a group of settable amount printing wheels 28D are rotatably mounted on a shaft 81 and a set of nonprinting, indicating number wheels 128 are mounted on a parallel shaft 32. The shafts 82 and 81 are mounted in upstanding ears 81E and 8213 that are struck from a mounting plate 83, and in forming these cars 81B and 82E, openings are formed in the plate 83 through which the lower portions of the several wheels extend for a short distance, as show in FIG. 18.

The number wheels and the indicating wheels are similarly formed as toothed wheels and it is by engagement of these teeth and the intermediate recesses that the wheels are set as required. The date printing wheels 281) are set in this instance by engaging the uppermost tooth with the fingers or a suitable tool, and the wheels are held in set position by the fingers 84F of a comb spring 84, such lingers engaging the tooth spaces of the respective wheels 28D as shown in FIG. 18, and the comb spring 84 being fastened on the top of the plate 553 by screws 848.

The amount printing wheels 28 and the indicating wheels 128 are arranged in corresponding groups with corresponding orders in alignment, and setting slides 85 are associated therewith so that the printing and indicating wheels may be simultaneously set in each order of the two groups of wheels. The several slides 85 have rack teeth 8ST along their upper edges for engagement with the tooth spaces of the sets of wheels, and the slides 85, with intermediate spacer plates 86, are disposed in a supporting channel 87 which has lateral top flanges 87F that are welded to the bottom of the plate 83. In this relation the rack teeth 8ST mesh with the wheels 23 and 128, and by longitudinal movement of the slides 55, the related amount wheels may be set. The spacers 86 are held against movement by lugs 86L that project into a transverse slot $78 in the bottom of the channel 87. The setting of the wheels is maintained by arms 88A of a comb spring 88 which engage notches 85N formed in this bottom edge of the slides 85. The spring 88 is held in place by screws, and the lower edges of the slides 85 are exposed through a slot 87B in the channel 87 for engagement by the spring arms 88A.

The unit 80 is secured in position beneath the casting 121, as shown in FIG. 9, by screws 80S extended upwardly through the plate 83 and into the mounting ribs 69A, FIG. 15. When thus mounted the number printing wheels 28 and 28D partially extend through aligned clearance openings 91 FIGS. l3, l and 17, formed in the casting 121 and the cover 221. Similarly, the indicating wheels 128 are shielded by a transparent plastic shield 128C that projects upwardly through the opening 91 in the cover 221 and is held in place by edge flanges (not shown) disposed beneath the cover 221.

The setting slides 85 are operated by arms 85A formed thereon at the forward ends thereof and projecting upwardly through slots 93 formed in the casting 121 and the cover 221, and heads 85H are provided on the upper ends of these arms for convenience of actuation. Numerical scales 838 are provided on the cover 221 along the several slots 93 to indicate the individual settings of the slides, and the number wheels also provide an even more easily readable indication of the set values. Clearance is provided for the rear ends of the slides 85 by an opening 169, FIGS. and 16, that is formed in the relatively deep web 169W which is located just rearwardly of the unit 80.

The details of the detents 23 and the mounting thereof have been illustrated in FIGS. 9, 12 and 15 wherein it will be evident that each detent is provided by a relatively long length of flat spring stock most of which is concealed beneath the cover 221 and is located in and positioned by slot 595 in the plate 121P of the bed casting. Thus the spring material is bent at one end to provide an inverted U-shaped retaining clip 23C that may be inserted downwardly through the slot 95 so as to embrace the upper portion ofa web 69W that crosses under the slot. The spring material is extended for- Wardly from the retaining clip and is bent upwardly and then forwardly at 233 and is extended forwardly to provide an arm 23A upon which the detent 23 is disposed in an upwardly and rearwardly sloping relation as shown in dotted outline in FIG. 12, and when the cover 221 is put in place, the detent 23 extends through a small opening 95A in the cover, and the arm 23A is placed under tension to maintain this relation. The entire arm 23A is located in or over the slot 95 in the casting so that the detent 95 may be depressed as required and will be laterally guided by the slot in such movement.

The sheet stops 3% and 31 are best shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 13, and it will be noted that the sheet stop 30 is formed as an upwardly bent flange at the lower or forward edge of the openings 90 through which the settable numerical printing wheels are exposed. The sheet stop 31 is formed as an integral part of the plate guide 24, and this integral structure is formed from sheet metal so that it may project upwardly through a corresponding L-shaped slot in the cover 221. Beneath the cover 221, the assembly 2431 has laterally projecting flanges that are located in a shallow clearance recess 101 that is formed in the upper face of the bed casting 121.

After the settable printing unit has been put in place and has been adjusted, the end members 136 may be put in position. Thus the end members 136 have fastening studs 136$ formed thereon as indicated in FIGS. 9 and 17, and the end members are put in place against the side flanges 698 of the bed casting 121 and are fixed thereto by screws 136D that extend through slots 69A that are formed in the lower edges of the side flanges 698 of the base casting.

When the end members 136 are thus put in place, the edge flanges of the end members 136 are arranged to overlie and embrace the side edges of the cover 221, including the downwardly extending rear wall W thereof. This serves to impart a finished appearance to the machine, and also to hold the cover, and particularly the end portions thereof, in the desired relationship to the balance of the machine.

When the end members 136 have thus been assembled the lower edges thereof are connected together by a pair of mounting struts 102 that are formed from sheet metal and which overlie elevated portions 136E of the lower flange of the end member. The ends of the struts 102 are secured to the portions 136E by screws 1028 that are applied from the bottom of the machine upwardly through the portions 136E of the end members and are threaded through the struts 102. These struts stiffen the assembly of the machine and provide for convenient mounting of the machine. Thus the struts 102 have resilient buttons 102R extended downwardly therefrom near their ends so that the machine may be rested on a counter or the like, and in addition, edge slots 102A are provided in the struts so that the struts may be associated with hold-down devices of various kinds.

The paper guide tray 25, under the present invention, serves not only to guide the sheets forwardly and down- Wardly into position against the forward sheet stops 30 and 31, but also functions to position the upper edges of the printing plates 22 and 26, and hold the same downwardly against the printing bed. The plate 26 is held against forward or downward movement along the bed by a downwardly extended ear 26E that is formed thereon, and this projects through an opening 26C that is indicated in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The downwardly projecting ear 26E extends a considerable distance past the lower face of the cover 221 and into a clearance space that is provided by an opening 263 that is formed in the base casting, as indicated in FIG. 15 of the drawings. The manner in which the sheet-receiving tray 25 cooperates with the printing devices 22 and 26 along their upper edges will be described in connection with the specific description of the sheet-receiving tray.

Thus as shown, particularly in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 7, 8 and 13, the sheet-receiving and guiding tray 25 is formed from sheet metal and is basically rectangular in form, and has upstanding end walls 25W that extend throughout the entire extent of the tray from front to rear. The tray 25 is positioned on and secured to the top of the cover 221 at the rear portion of the bed and is cutout in the rearwardly projecting portion of the tray, as at 25C, and is flanged downwardly at 25F along the side edges of the rearwardly diverging clearance space that is thus provided. This clearance space is provided substantially midway between the ends of the tray 25 for convenience in inserting and removing sheets such as the sheet S that is shown in FIG. 14. Clearance for the downwardly ex tended flanges 25F of the cutout space is provided by a similarly shaped cutout in the rear wall W of the cover, and this cutout provides a lowered upwardly projecting flange W25 on the rear wall that extends forwardly and to a position beneath the tray 25. The forwardly projecting flange W25 extends through a cutout 25B that is formed in the plate 121P of the base casting, as shown in FIGS. and 17.

The tray is secured to the cover 221 by what amounts to a modified staking operation, and in this staking operation provision is made for locating the forward edge of the tray 25 in a slightly elevated relation, as shown in FIG. 20, so that a forwardly projecting overhanging ledge 25L is provided under which the rear edges of the plates 22 and 26 may extend. The staking operation also provides a stop means that may be engaged by the rear edges of the plate 22 and 26 to limit the rearward movement thereof.

Thus, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 2C, the forward edge of the tray 25 is formed with a plurality of slots 125 therein, and in making these slots, downwardly projecting ears 125E are formed. These ears 125E are adapted to project downwardly through the openings 221R, and in the formation of the openings 221R, upwardly projecting tongues 221T are provided upon which the forward portion of the tray 25 may rest to provide the desired clearance space between the ledge 25L and the cover 221. It may be noted that the tongues 221T are somewhat Wider than the slots 125, thus to engage the lower face of the tray 25 on opposite sides of the slots 125. The ears 125E project downwardly through the slots 221R and are bent over and rearwardly beneath the lower surface of the cover 221 to hold the tray in position thereon. Clearance for the staked lower ends of the cars 1255 is provided by a shallow recess 101D in each instance that is formed in the top plate of the bed casting 121. The tongues 221T serve as abutments that are engaged by the rear edge of the plate 22, FIG. 7, while the rear edge of the plate 26 engages a downwardly sloped tongue 255 which merely rests on the cover 221 but is not staked thereto.

Staked fastenings 125T, FIG. 7, are provided near the top of the tray 25, but in this instance the tray is fastened tightly against the cover 221 rather than being elevated.

The tray 25 serves as a guide for a sheet S that is being moved forwardly into engagement with the forward sheet stops 30 and 31, and under the present invention, means is also associated with the tray 25 whereby the sheets may be held firmly against displacement during the printing operation. This means is provided in part by means mounted on the tray 25, and is rendered effective by cooperation of such means with a portion of the platen mechanism. Thus, as shown particularly in FIGS. 2, 7 and 13, a top guide plate 225 is mounted on the tray 25, this plate being generally rectangular and elongated in form so as to fit between the end walls 25W, and near its rear edge the plate 225 has longitudinal lugs extending therefrom in alignment to provide pivot lugs 225P that rest in notches 25N formed in the walls at 25W. In this relationship the forward edge of the plate 225 rests on and near the forward edge of the tray 25, and the downward force exerted by the front edge of the plate is relatively slight so that a sheet S or a set of forms to be printed may be moved forwardly under the elevated portion of the plate 225 and may be pushed freely under the forward edge of the plate 225 and into printing position. The plate 225 is held against undesired displacement by inturned ears 225E formed on the walls 25W forwardly of the pivotal mounting points thereof, and it should be noted that these ears 225 permit the necessary upward movement of the forward edge of the plate as the sheets are inserted or removed.

When a sheet S is in position, the forward edge of the plate 225 is disposed on the top of the sheet somewhat rearwardly of the printing area, and during the actual printing operation, the plate 225 is forced downwardly with a clamping action so that the sheet S cannot be displaced. This avoids possible offsets and the like, and assures clear and readable printing impressions.

The clamping action of the plate 225 is produced by engagement of the lower end of the rear arm 69A of the platen mechanism P with the upper surface of the plate 225 near the forward edge thereof, and this will be apparent in FIG. 8 of the drawings. It will be recalled that the arms 60A of the platen mechanism are maintained in their elevated position during the idle stroke of the platen carriage C to the left as viewed in FIG. 4, the arms 69A at this time being in the raised position shown in FIG. 6. Then, as the platen roller PR is shifted downwardly to its effective position at the left hand end of its stroke, the rear arm 69A engages the upper surface of the plate 225, as shown in FIG. 8, and during the right hand or printing stroke of the platen, the plate 225 is held downwardly by the arm 69A in a clamped relationship so that the sheet S cannot shift. At the end of the right hand or printing stroke, the

' platen roller PR is again elevated to the position shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 6 so that the clamping action on the plate 225 is released and the operator may freely and easily withdraw the sheet S from the tray 25.

In the foregoing description the sheet S upon which the printed impressions are made has been described as a single sheet, but it should be understood that in most uses of the present printing machine, one, or more printed copies must be produced in each operation of the machine. For this purpose, it is customary to employ what is referred to as a carbon pack such as that shown in FIG. 14 of the drawings where sheets 8-1, 8-2 and S3 are bound together at one end as at E with a singlefaced carbon sheet interposed between the sheets S-1 and S2, and a double-faced carbon sheet interposed between sheets S-2 and 5-3. When such a carbon pack is used it is of course positioned on the bed of the machine 20 in a face down relationship, and when the platen is operated through its printing stroke, a printed impression is formed on what may be termed the back surface of sheet 8-3 which is usually relatively thin so that the impression may be read therethrough. In the same operation a printed impression is made on the front side of the sheet S-2 and on the front side of sheet S1.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the present invention provides a printing machine which is capable of rapid and accurate manufacture and assembly, and which may be readily adjusted, particularly as to the parallelism of the platen roller in respect to the printing bed. It will also be apparent that the machine that is provided by the present invention is rugged and reliable in use, and produces clear and accurate printed impressions.

It will also be evident that the printing machine of this invention is so organized as to simplify the insertion and removal of the printing device and the sheets upon which the impressions are to be made, and further, it will be apparent that under the present invention the printing device and the sheets are accurately positioned in the machine, and this accuracy of position and rela' 13 tionship is maintained throughout the printing operation. It will also be evident that under the present invention a printing machine is provided that is simple in character and in which variable data such as money amounts, dates and the like may be easily set for printing at the same time that a printed impression is made from a printing device.

It will also be apparent that the printing machine that is provided by the present invention is of such a character that after the printing device and the sheet have been put in place and have been accurately positioned, the operation of the platen through its printing stroke is effective to clamp the sheet in its accurately determined position throughout the entire printing stroke so that clarity and proper location of the printed impression on the forms are assured.

It will also be apparent that the present invention provides a novel and advantageous interrelationship of the bed and platen mechanism with a variable amount printer so that the setting means for the amount printer are located in a readily accessible position so as to simplify the setting of the amount printer, and it will be further evident that through this novel arrangement, it is possible to provide number wheels that are concurrently set for visually displaying the amount or number to which the amount printer has been set.

Thus while we have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of our invention it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the appending claims.

We claim:

1. In a printing machine of the character described, a printing bed including a base casting, roller platen means including a platen carriage and a pair of guide rails having top, bottom and side surfaces and upon which the carriage is supported and guided for reciprocation across the printing bed, and means at opposite ends of said rails for supporting said rails, said means at each end of the rails comprising a first sheet metal stamping fixed to the bed and projecting upwardly therefrom in a plane normal to the bed, said stamping having a pair of spaced guide slots therein through which the respective ends of the rails project with the side surfaces of the rails engaging the sides of the slots and in which slots said projecting ends may be adjusted toward and away from said bed, and a second sheet metal stamping firmly engaging the top and bottom surfaces of the projecting ends of the rails, resilient means urging the second stamping upwardly, and adjusting screws acting between the second stamping and the bed for positively moving the second stamping downwardly below each rail in opposition to said resilient means.

2. In a printing machine of the character described, a printing bed including a base casting, roller platen means including a platen carriage and a pair of guide rails having top, bottom and side surfaces and upon which the carriage is supported and guided for reciprocation across the printing bed, and means at opposite ends of said rails for supporting said rails, said means at each end of the rails comprising rigid lateral positioning means fixed to the bed and projecting upwardly therefrom and engaging the side surfaces of the rails to determine the lateral positions thereof, other positioning means firmly engaging the top and bottom surfaces of the rails, and means including adjusting screws for adjusting said other positioning means in up and down directions.

3. In a printing machine of the character described, a printing bed including a base casting, roller platen means including a platen carriage and a pair of guide rails having top, bottom and side surfaces and upon which the carriage is supported and guided for reciprocation across the printing bed, and means at opposite ends of said rails for supporting said rails, said means at each end of the rails comprising a member fixed to the bed and projecting upwardly therefrom and having a pair of spaced guide slots therein through which the respective ends of the rails project with the side surfaces of the rails engaging, the sides of the slots and in which slots said projecting ends may be adjusted toward and away from said bed, and a stamping having laterally projecting arms firmly engaging the top surfaces of the projecting ends of the respective rails and having lower arms wedged firmly into engagement with the bottom surfaces of the projecting ends of the respective rails, resilient means urging the stamping upwardly, and adjusting screws acting between the stamping and the bed for positively moving the stamping downwardly below each rail in opposition to said resilient means.

4. In a printing machine of the character described, a base providing a printing bed, a roller platen movable from a retracted relation to a lower printing relation and reciprocally mounted for movement through a printing stroke over the bed in printing cooperation with printing means supported on the bed, a sheet guide tray upon which a sheet may be positioned and moved into printing position in the machine, a top guide plate on said tray under which substantially the entire body of such a sheet is moved toward printing position as the sheet is inserted into printing position, and means moving with said platen and engaging said plate when said roller platen is in its lower printing relation for rendering said plate effective as a clamping means to hold the sheet in a fixed position during a printing stroke of the platen.

5. In a printing machine of the character described, a base providing a printing bed, a roller platen reciprocally mounted for movement through a printing stroke over the bed in printing cooperation with printing means supported on the bed, a top guide plate under which substantially the entire body of a sheet is moved toward printing position as the sheet is inserted into printing position, and means moving with the platen engaging said plate while the platen moves through its printing stroke for rendering said plate effective as a clamping means to hold the sheet in a fixed position during a printing stroke of the platen.

6. In a printing machine of the character described in which a printing plate is adapted to be positioned, a base providing a printing bed on which a printing device may be positioned in a predetermined printing position, a, roller platen reciprocally mounted for movement through a printing stroke over the bed in printing cooperation with printing means supported on the bed, a stationary sheet guide tray to receive and guide a sheet for movement in one direction into position over said printing position, said tray having one edge thereof projecting in an elevated relation over the adjacent edge of said printing position so that one edge of a printing device may be inserted under said edge of the tray, and spring detent means on the bed for engaging the opposite edge of such a printing device to hold the printing device in position with said one edge of the plate under said edge of the tray.

7. In a printing machine of the character described, a base providing a printing bed on which a printing device may be positioned in a predetermined printing position, a roller platen reciprocally mounted for movement through a printing stroke over the bed in printing cooperation with printing means supported on the bed, a sheet guide tray to receive and guide a sheet for movement in one direc tion into position over said printing position, mounting means supporting said tray on the bed with one edge of the tray projecting in an elevated relation over the adjacent edge of said printing position so that one edge of a printing device may be inserted under said edge of the tray, said mounting means providing a stop located under the tray for engagement by said one edge of a printing device, and means on the bed for engaging the printing device to hold the printing device in position with said one edge thereof under said edge of the tray.

8. In a printing machine of the character described, a base providing a printing bed on which a printing device may be positioned in a predetermined printing position, a roller platen reciprocally mounted for movement through a printing stroke over the bed in printing cooperation with printing means supported on the bed, a sheet guide tray to receive and laterally guide a sheet for movement in one direction into position over said printing position, sheet stops on the bed for engagement by the leading edge of the sheet, support means mounting the tray on the bed with one edge thereof projecting in an elevated relation over the adjacent edge of said printing position so that one edge of a printing device moved in the opposite direction on the bed may have its leading edge inserted under said edge of the tray, and means on the bed for engaging the printing device to hold the printing device in position with said one edge under said edge of the tray.

9. In a printing machine of the character described, a base adapted for counter mounting and providing a printing bed that slopes forwardly from an elevated rear edge to a lower front edge, a guideway supported at its opposite ends from said base and extending in an elevated parallel relation across said bed in spaced relation and parallel to said front and rear edges of the bed, a roller platen supported for reciprocation along the guideway, a sheet guide tray fixed on said bed along the rear edge thereof and in which a sheet may be moved forwardly in a laterally guided relation, sheet stops on the bed opposite end portions of the guide tray to limit the forward movement of the sheet, said tray having at least a portion of its forward edge spaced from the bed to provide a hold-down ledge for rear edge of a printing device, and spring detent means for engaging the forward edge of such a printing device to hold the same removably in place on the bed.

10, In a printing machine of the character described, a base adapted for counter mounting and providing a printing bed that slopes forwardly from an elevated rear edge to a lower front edge, a guideway supported at its opposite ends from said base and extending in an elevated parallel relation across said bed in spaced relation and parallel to said front and rear edges of the bed, a roller platen supported for reciprocation along the guideway, a sheet guide tray fixed on said bed along the rear edge thereof and in which a sheet may be moved forwardly in a laterally guided relation, sheet stops on the bed opposite end portions of the guide tray to limit the forward movement of the sheet, supporting stops on the bed supporting at least a portion of the forward edge of the tray in an upwardly spaced relation to the bed to provide a holddown ledge under which the rear edge of a printing device may be inserted rearwardly into engagement with said supporting stops, and spring detent means for engaging the forward edge of such a printing device to hold the same removably in place on the bed.

11. In a printing machine of the character described for use in producing printed impressions from individual embossed printing devices inserted individually into the machine, said machine comprising a base providing a forwardly sloping bed with an elevated rear edge and a relatively low forward edge, columns at the opposite ends of the base intermediate said front and rear edges of the bed and having rigid guide means extended therebetween over and in upwardly spaced relation to the bed, a platen carriage reciprocable along said guide means and having a roller platen thereon, plate locating means on said bed into which a printing device may be inserted rearwardly into printing position for printing cooperation with the platen roller, a sheet guide tray on said bed along the rear edge into which a sheet may be moved forwardly in a laterally guided relation into position over such a printing device in said printing position, and paper stops on said bed for engagement by the leading edge of a sheet as it is thus inserted to determine the front to rear position of the sheet.

12. In a printing machine of the character described for use in producing printed impressions from individual embossed printing devices inserted individually into the machine, said machine comprising a base providing a forwardly sloping bed with an elevated rear edge and a relatively low forward edge, columns at the opposite ends of the base intermediate said front and rear edges of the bed and having rigid guide means extended therebetween over and upwardly spaced relation to the bed, a platen carriage reciprocable along said guide means and having a roller platen thereon, plate locating means on said bed into which a printing plate may be inserted rearwardly into printing position for printing cooperation with the platen roller, settable printing wheels mounted on said base on an axis parallel to said guide means and exposed beneath said guide means for cooperation with said roller platen, individual setting slides for said printing wheels extended forwardly from the wheels beneath the bed and having manually engageable setting arms extended upwardly through the bed forwardly of said guide means, a sheet guide tray on said bed along the rear edge into which a sheet may be moved forwardly in a laterally guided relation into position over such a printing plate in said printing position, and paper stops on said bed rearwardly of said setting arms for engagement by the leading edge of a sheet as it is thus inserted to determine the front to rear position of the sheet.

13. In a printing machine of the character described for use in producing printed impressions from individual embossed printing devices inserted individually into the machine, said machine comprising a base providing a bed with front and rear edges, columns at the opposite ends of the base intermediate said front and rear edges of the bed and having rigid guide means extended therebetween over and upwardly spaced relation to the bed, a platen carriage reciprocable along said guide means and having a roller platen thereon, plate locating means on said bed into which a printing plate may be inserted rearwardly into printing position for printing cooperation with the platen roller, settable printingw-heels mounted on said base on an axis parallel to said guide means and exposed through this bed beneath said guide means for printing cooperation with said roller platen, individual setting slides for said printing wheels extended forwardly from the wheels beneath the bed and having manually engageable setting arms extended upwardly through the bed forwardly of said guide means, a sheet guide tray on said bed along the rear edge into which a sheet may be moved forwardly in a laterally guided relation into position over such a printing plate in said printing position, paper stops on said bed rearwardly of said setting arms for engagement by the leading edge of a sheet as it is thus inserted to determine the front to rear position of the sheet, and a set of reading wheels mounted on an axis parallel to the axis of the printing wheels and exposed through said bed between said sheet stops and said printing wheels, said reading wheels being operated by the respective slides in unison with the printing wheels.

14. In a printing machine of the character described, a base providing a bed with front and rear edges, a roller platen mounted and guided for reciprocation along said bed along a path parallel to and intermediate said front and rear edges of the bed, plate locating means on said bed into which a printing plate may be inserted into printing position for printing cooperation with the platen roller, settable printing wheels mounted on said base on an axis parallel to said front and rear edges and exposed through this bed in position for printing cooperation with said roller platen, individual setting slides for said printing wheels extended forwardly from the printing wheels beneath the bed and having manually engageable setting arms extended upwardly through the bed forwardly of said guide means, sheet guide means on said bed along the rear edge for guiding a sheet into position over such a printing plate in said printing position, paper stops on said bed rearwardly of said setting arms for engagement by the leading edge of a sheet as it is thus inserted to determine the front to rear position of the sheet, and a set of reading Wheels mounted on an axis parallel to the axis of the printing wheels and exposed through said bed between said sheet stops and said printing wheels, said reading wheels being operated by the respective slides in unison with the printing wheels.

15. In a printing machine of the character described, a base providing a bed with front and rear edges, a roller platen mounted and guided for reciprocation over said bed parallel to and intermediate said front and rear edges of the bed, plate locating means on said bed into which a printing plate may be inserted into printing position for printing cooperation with the platen roller, settable printing wheels mounted on said base on an axis parallel to said front and rear edges and exposed through this bed in position for printing cooperation with said roller platen, individual setting slides for said printing wheels extended forwardly from the printing wheels beneath the bed and having manually engageable setting arms extended upwardly through the bed forwardly of said guide means, sheet guide means on said bed along the rear edge for guiding a sheet into position over such a printing plate in said printing position, and paper stops on said bed rearwardly of said setting arms for engagement by the leading edge of a sheet as it is thus inserted to determine the front to rear position of the sheet.

16. In a printing machine of the character described, a rigid bed casting, columns fixed at opposite ends to the bed casting in an upstanding relation, a rigid guideway extended between the columns over the bed casting, a reciprocable roller platen carried on the guideway, a sheet metal cover extended across the top of the bed casting to provide a printing bed, and extended downwardly over the opposite edges of the casting, end members secured on opposite ends of the bed casting and concealing the outer faces of said columns and said base casting and engaging the downwardly extended edges of the cover to hold the same in place, means held in place by said cover for receiving and positioning a printing device on the bed, and means held in place by the cover for guiding and positioning a sheet on and with respect to the bed.

17. In a printing machine of the character described,

a rigid bed casting, columns fixed at opposite end to the bed casting in an upstanding relation, a rigid guideway extended between the columns over the bed casting, reciprocable roller platen carried on the guideway, a sheet metal cover extended across the top of the bed casting to provide a printing bed, and extended downwardly over the opposite edges of the casting, end members secured on opposite ends of the bed casting and concealing the outer faces of said columns and said base casting and engaging the downwardly extended edges of the cover to hold the same in place, locating means held in place by said cover for receiving and positioning a printing device on the bed, and means including a part of said locating means and held in place by the cover for guiding and positioning a sheet on and with respect to the bed.

18. In a printing machine of the character described, a rigid bed casting, columns fixed at opposite end to the bed casting in an upstanding relation, a rigid guideway extended between the columns over the bed casting, reciprocable roller platen carried on the guideway, a sheet metal cover extended across the top of the bed casting to provid a printing bed, and extended downwardly over the opposite edges of the casting, end members secured on opposite ends of the bed casting and concealing the outer faces of said columns and said base casting and engaging the downwardly extended edges of the cover to hold the same in place, means held in place by the cover for guiding and positioning a sheet on and with respect to the bed, and means for receiving and positioning a printing plate on the bed including spring detents carried by said bed casting and held in place by and projecting through said cover.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 479,579 Vaughn July 26, 1892 859,442 Fanslow July 9, 1907 1,842,086 Hartley Jan. 19, 1932 1,919,954 Kranz July 25, 1933 2,070,763 Ward Feb. 16, 1937 2,606,494 Vogt Aug. 12, 1952 2,888,873 Uhl et al. -a June 2, 1959 2,909,998 Maul Oct. 27, 1959 2,913,981 Hermann Nov. 24, 1959 

